Parodos
[Lyric-Scene]
Do you get what I mean?
945
Pisthetaerus
I understand that you want me to offer you a tunic. Hi! you
To the acolyte. take off yours; we must help the poet. . . . Come, you, take it and get out.
Poet
I am going, and these are the verses that I address to this city:
Phoebus of the golden throne, celebrate this shivery, freezing city; I have travelled through fruitful and snow-covered plains. Tralala! Tralala!
He departs.
950
Pisthetaerus
What are you chanting us
about frosts? Thanks to the tunic, you no longer fear them. Ah! by Zeus! I could not have believed this cursed fellow could so soon have learnt the way to our city. To a slave. Come, take the lustral water and circle the altar. Let all keep silence!
955
Oracle-Monger
Let not the goat be sacrificed.
Pisthetaerus
Who are you?
960
Oracle-Monger
Who am I? An oracle-monger.
960
Pisthetaerus
Get out!
960
Oracle-Monger
Wretched man, insult not sacred things. For there is an oracle of Bacis, which exactly applies to Nephelococcygia.
Pisthetaerus
Why did you not reveal it to me before
Oracle-Monger
The divine spirit was against it.
965
Pisthetaerus
Well, I suppose there's nothing to do but hear the terms of the oracle.
Oracle-Monger
But when the wolves and the white crows shall dwell together between Corinth and Sicyon ...
Pisthetaerus
But how do the Corinthians concern me?
Oracle-Monger
It is the regions of the air that Bacis indicates in this manner. They must first sacrifice a white-fleeced goat to Pandora, and give the prophet who first reveals my words a good cloak and new sandals.
970
Pisthetaerus
Does it say sandals there?
Oracle-Monger
Look at the book.
And besides this a goblet of wine and a good share of the entrails of the victim.
975
Pisthetaerus
Of the entrails —does it say that?
Oracle-Monger
Look at the book. If you do as I command, divine youth, you shall be an eagle among the clouds; if not, you shall be neither turtle-dove, nor eagle, nor woodpecker.
Pisthetaerus
Does it say all that?
980
Oracle-Monger
Look at the book.
980
Pisthetaerus
This oracle in no sort of way resembles the one Apollo dictated to me: If an impostor comes without invitation to annoy you during the sacrifice and to demand a share of the victim,
apply a stout stick to his ribs.
985
Oracle-Monger
You are drivelling.
Pisthetaerus
Look at the book. And don't spare him, were he an eagle from out of the clouds, were it Lampon himself or the great Diopithes.
Oracle-Monger
Does it say that?
